World Wrestling Entertainment is the largest professional wrestling organization in North America. It was called World Wrestling Federation until it changed its name because of a legal dispute. Its more than one hundred wrestlers fight each other in competitive matches that are written and practiced before they are performed.
Professional wrestlers are athletes but act as entertainers. They are not seeking athletic records, but instead want to excite an audience. To do this, they use unusual names and wear special clothing during wrestling matches. These wrestlers include the Stone Cold Stunner and the Undertaker.
Most professional wrestling matches are between two men or two women. They fight inside an area called a ring that is separated from the audience by ropes. Each match continues until one wrestler forces the other's shoulders to the floor and holds them there for a count of three. Most World Wrestling Entertainment matches continue for only about four to seven minutes.
An organization official called a promoter decides before the match who will win. But who wins and who loses is not the important thing in professional wrestling. The important thing is that the audience enjoys the pretend fight. Some wrestlers rarely win, but continue to be popular.
Not all wrestling matches are between two people. Some are called tag team matches and involve teams of two, three or four wrestlers. Another kind of match is called a battle royal. It involves thirty to sixty wrestlers competing against each other. A wrestler loses when he or she is thrown out of the ring. The winner is the last wrestler still standing.Why did World Wrestling Federation change its name?
A.Because audience didn’t like it. |
B.Because maybe there was another name similar to it. |
C.Because they wanted their name more unusual. |
D.Because the name was out of date. |
Professional wrestlers’ main aim is to _______.
A.excite the audience | B.make a record |
C.win a prize | D.win the match |
As a whole, the third paragraph is _______.
A.entertaining | B.descriptive | C.instructive | D.persuasive |
Which of the following statements is right according to the passage?
A.All professional wrestling matches are between two men or two women. |
B.The wrestler who loses the match will lose popularity. |
C.Wrestlers usually wear special clothing to look funny. |
D.A wrestler who is thrown out of the ring will lose the match in all wrestling matches. |
There are many international organizations which work to save and protect endangered species(物种)and natural environment. If you would like more information about any of the organizations listed below, you can write to the addresses given.
Friends of the Earth(FOE) campaigns on a range of problems including rainforests,the countryside,water and air pollution and energy.![]() Friends of the Earth International Secretariat P. O. Box 19199 1000 G. D. Amsterdam The Netherlands |
Greenpeace uses peaceful but direct action to defend the environment. It campaigns to protect rainforests and sea animals,stop global![]() warming and end pollution of air,land and seas. It also opposes nuclear(核)power. Greenpeace International Keizergracht 1761016 DW Amsterdam The Netherlands |
BirdLife International is an organization which works to save endangered birds all over the world. BirdLife International Wellbrook Court Girton Road ![]() Cambridge CB3 ONA England |
![]() WWF-World Wide Fund For Nature is the world's largest private international organization for the protection of nature and endangered species. Information Officer WWF International Avenue du Mont-Blanc 1196 Gland Switzerland |
If you want to learn more about the organizations,you can.
A.call them | B.write them a letter |
C.visit them | D.send them an e-mail |
BirdLife International is an organization trying to.
A.reduce pollution | B.defend rainforests |
C.protect ocean animals | D.save endangered birds |
If you oppose(反对) nuclear power,you can join.
A.Friends of the Earth |
B.World Wide Fund For Nature |
C.Greenpeace |
D.BirdLife International |
What can we learn about WWF?
A.It helps to protect nature and save endangered animals. |
B.It is the world’s largest international organization. |
C.It works for private companies and rich people. |
D.It is a private organization in the United States. |
Which is the best title for the passage?
A.Environmental Protection Organizations |
B.Global Environmental Problems |
C.Endangered Animals |
D.Friends of the Earth |
When the seventeenth-century settlers brought the English language to America, they immediately and necessarily began to adapt (使适应) it to their new environment. These changes were early and criticized by some people on both sides of the Atlantic. However, after the Revolution, Americans began to be proud of their own form of English. Noah Webster was the major early supporter of American meanings and spellings over British ones and published the earliest American dictionary, An American Dictionary of the English Language. During the years since Webster, language differences have continued to develop, proving (证明) the truth of George Bernard Shaw’s often-repeated words that the two nations are “divided by a common language”.
Like the American language, the earliest American literature (文学) copied English models. However, after the Revolution and the War of 1812, writers began to create a clear American literature. However, in 1820, Sydney Smith asked the famous question “Who reads an American book?”
Answering to this and similar taunts (讽刺) with creative anger, American writers soon produced works that plenty of British people read. Works by Washing-ton Irving, Walt Whitman, and Mark Twain had been acclaimed greatly in Britain by the end of the nineteenth century.
Even as American writers got respect in Britain, British writers continued to have great influence in America. Charles Dickens went to America twice, in 1842 and 1867-68. Other major British writers who traveled and lived in the United States include D.H. Lawrence and Aldous Huxley. British best works continue to be widely read. The works of William Shakespeare and Jane Austen became popular films.
At the turn of the twenty-first century, many books and writers continue to cross the Atlantic in both directions — made possible by the proud heritage (继承) of the shared language.The author of this passage seems to think ______.
A.British English is better than American English |
B.American English is better than British English |
C.the same language has divided the two nations |
D.the same language has connected the two nations |
From the question asked by Sydney Smith, we can infer ______.
A.the British looked down upon American books at first |
B.the British found American books difficult to understand |
C.the British thought highly of books written by Americans |
D.the British had to translate American books into English ones |
The underlined word “acclaimed” in Paragraph 3 probably means “______”.
A.sold | B.discussed |
C.welcomed | D.refused |
What made it possible for books and writers to cross the Atlantic in both directions?
A.The War of 1812. | B.The American Revolution. |
C.The language differences. | D.The common language. |
In America, when the eighth graders leave the middle school, they are often worried about moving to the high school. It is a hard time for them, but it can be an exciting one as well. To make it easier, students need to get familiar with their school.
Even though they’ve done this already in the middle school, it’s still important to find where their classrooms are. Most schools take students to the high school for a visit at the end of their eighth grade year. And, most schools also have a freshman (新生)speech for parents and students before the first year begins. Sometimes the main office will give away a map of the school. This can help students and parents to find different places in the school.
One way to know your high school more and make new friends is to join a club or play a sport. Schools often offer chances to join different clubs and sports. Fall activities begin in August before the first day of school. If you are not interested in sports, there are clubs for any interest, such as drama, dance, chess, photography, community service, etc. These clubs allow students from different grades. By joining an activity, students can find new friendships, not to mention improving their chances in future college applications (申请). The school office will have a list of activities offered at the school and information on how to join them.
What’s more, to have a great start to a high school year, students can write down some of their worries, and ask for help from teachers and school workers.According to the text, most students feel _______ when entering the high school.
A.excited | B.nervous | C.lonely | D.disappointed |
Which of the following is TRUE about the school clubs?
A.There are fewer students from higher grades in the school clubs. |
B.The school clubs in high school only welcome sports fans. |
C.Summer activities begin before school starts. |
D.School officers can help new students join school clubs. |
When do many schools take students to visit their new high school?
A.Before the eighth grade year starts. |
B.Right after the high school year starts. |
C.At the beginning of the new term in the high school. |
D.At the end of their eighth grade year |
What is the purpose of this text?
A.To tell the new students how to learn in high school |
B.To introduce new schools. |
C.To give the teachers some advice. |
D.To give advice to new high school students. |
In 1970, my five brothers, my sister and I lived in the housing projects of Toronto with our parents. My father was a factory worker, and my mother stayed at home. Each year my father would dress up as Santa Claus and go through the streets of the projects sharing joy and candies with the children there. He loved it as much as they did!
But around the Christmas in 1970, my father was out of his job and money was tight. In fact, there was no money for Christmas and my parents weren’t sure what they’d provide for us.
That Christmas Eve, however, as usual, my father left the house dressed as Santa Claus. He knew that even though our Christmas would be hard, he could not disappoint the other kids in the neighborhood.
As my father left the house and went down the walkway, Santa Claus was walking up, with a great sack full of gifts for us! He said nothing, only smiled a sweet smile at my father, and wished him a Merry Christmas. The happy man handed Dad the sack and walked away down the block.
We never knew who the man was and who showed us great kindness on a snowy Christmas night. We do know, however, that without him we would have had nothing under the tree. His kindness gave my parents hope and showed us in a very real way the true meaning of Christmas.
Our family has never forgotten this kind stranger. Each year we tell the story of the mysterious Santa Claus and try to repay his gifts by giving gifts to others in need.The author’s father ________.
A.was once the richest man in his hometown |
B.was working in a government office |
C.had to support a family of 9 people |
D.looked like Santa Claus most |
What happened in 1970?
A.The author’s mother lost her job. |
B.They had a little money left for Christmas. |
C.They had the worst Christmas in their lives. |
D.The author’s father was out of work. |
The author’s family knew ________.
A.who the mysterious Santa Claus was |
B.why the mysterious Santa Claus helped them |
C.how they could repay the mysterious Santa Claus |
D.they could find the mysterious Santa Claus one day |
It can be inferred(推断)that ________.
A.the mysterious Santa Claus was one of their relatives |
B.the mysterious Santa Claus was a rich man in the area |
C.the sack from the mysterious Santa Claus was very expensive |
D.the author’s family were all thankful to the mysterious Santa Claus |
Electrical devices(仪器) could soon use power made by human energy. Scientists say they have developed an experimental device that produces electricity from the physical movement of a person walking. British scientist Max Donelan and other scientists in Canada and the United States developed the device.
The device connects to a person’s knee. As the person walks, the device captures energy each time the person slows down. To do this, the device helps with the slowing down movement of the leg. The movements of the walking person push parts of a small machine that produces electricity. Using the device, an adult walking quickly could produce thirteen watts of electricity in just a minute. Donelan says walking at that speed could produce enough power to operate a laptop computer for six minutes.
There are several possible uses for the device. Developers say it could help people who work in areas without electricity to operate small computers. The device could also be used in hospitals to operate heart pacemakers(起搏器). It could even be used to assist in the movement of robotic arms and legs.
The experimental version of the device weighs about one and a half kilograms, but it is too costly for most people to buy. But the researchers hope to make a lighter, less costly version. An improved version shou1d be ready in one year.
The developers hope the device will one day help developing countries. Near1y twenty five percent of people around the world live without electric power.
A similar product was invented in 2005 by Larry Rome of the University of Pennsylvania. He created a bag carried on a person’s back that also produces power from wa1king.
The knee device does not produce as much electricity as the bag. But the bag requires the walker to carry a load of twenty to thirty kilograms.The second paragraph mainly talks about.
A.who developed the device |
B.how the device works |
C.several possible uses for the devices |
D.how much electricity the device can produce |
Compared with the device designed by Larry Rome, this new device.
A.produces power without adding more loads to the walker |
B.can produce more power in a much shorter time |
C.needs to be equipped with a battery |
D.can help the walker wa1k faster |
From the passage, we can learn that the electrical device can.
A.help housewives operate the washing machine |
B.make it much easier for us to go online |
C.produce more electricity than that invented by Larry Rome |
D.be applied in medicine to operate heart pacemakers |
What would be the best title for the passage?
A.First device powered by walking wi1l soon be on the market |
B.Advanced technology brings in a new way to operate heart pacemakers |
C.Device gives new meaning to the idea of power walking |
D.Human energy will become a main source of electricity |